Hammond Central to look at class sizes

HAMMOND  Responding to critics, Hammond Central School interim Superintendent Randy C. Richards said the school has plans to reduce class sizes in a number of subjects, not just in its music program.

In a recent school board meeting, board members asked music teacher Bridget Sherman to speak about the challenges she faces when it comes to class sizes, lack of curriculum materials and working instruments.

Ms. Sherman is the only person in the state who holds the title of pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade general music, instrumental and voice teacher. With a student population of 325, she said she has to teach multiple classes of students with a variety of skill levels at one time. She said students arent getting an optimal education as a result.

Mr. Richards said the music programs class size is one of many to be reviewed over the next five years after community members had questioned why only music classes were being studied. Multiple classes, including physical education and art, teach students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade.

We need to focus on getting some feedback from teachers and see if we can leverage where we can in the budget. However, there might be some things we can do to help out teachers in the short term that dont have to be a big expense, he said.

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